What is Thyodine?
This information is not intended as medical advice.
It is presented as a guideline only, based upon the experiences of people who
have used Thyodine. If possible, try to work with a nutritionally-oriented
physician or a holistic practitioner when using Thyodine. If you can't do this,
then you are taking responsibility for your own health in this regard, and will
need to pay attention to your body and how you feel.
Thyodine has been formulated specifically to nourish the
Thyroid gland with glandular and phyto nutrients, especially if you don't get
needed Iodine from salt or from your diet. Ingredients include
dulse, L-Tyrosine, laminaria digitata, adrenal gland, bladderwrack, irish
moss, pituitary gland, thyroid (bovine), thymus, calcarea flourica,
lycopus virginicus in a base of plant cellulose with vegetables and magnesium
stearates and natural silica. Thyodine contains no sugar, starch, soy,
yeast, corn, or other known allergens.
Many Americans are subject to exhaustion, chronic
fatigue and poor concentration. These are symptoms of an often undetected
condition called hypothyroidism (or underactive thyroid) resulting from a diet
poor in nutrients and minerals that are no longer in our soils and thus no
longer in our food.
Hypothyroidism is caused by a lack of the mineral
Iodine in the diet. Anyone over 40 probably remembers being taught in school
about the government mandate to iodize salt required in the 20’s due to the
prevalence of goiters. See the article below on Historical Evidence of Benefits
of Iodized Salt in the United States. If you are on a salt-free diet, you may be
deficient in Iodine. This can lead to all the symptoms of hypothyroidism if you
have no other dietary source of Iodine.
Goiters
Goiters are growths on the neck resulting from enlargement of
the thyroid gland due to lack of the element Iodine. Iodine is essential for the
thyroid gland's production of the hormone thyroxin which regulates numerous
functions, most importantly metabolism. An inadequate intake of iodine can
result in a wide variety of ailments, particularly fatigue, overweight, poor
circulation, low libido (sex drive), and irregular menstrual cycles -- all
symptoms of low production of thyroid hormone or hypothyroidism. (For a complete
discussion of hypothyroidism and your health, see the November 1999 (Volume 8,
number 5) issue of ALTERNATIVES. For back issue ordering instructions, click
here.)
http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/nc/newsletter.asp
Doctors routinely overlook the thyroid as a
contributing factor to health problems. So many people have come to look on the
salt-free diet as a healthy diet without realizing that in today’s world of
mineral-depleted soils [see Senate Document 264, 1936], removing iodized salt
from the diet is asking for trouble. Studies have shown that as little as ten
percent of people with heart problems are helped by the salt-free diet. Others
doing the salt-free regimen are simply removing their only dietary access to the
element iodine and creating a deficiency that results in various degrees of
hypothyroidism. To determine if your thyroid is underactive, here's an easy test
you can do on your own that’s practically fool proof. If the test indicates that
you may have hypothyroidism, increasing your intake of the element Iodine can
often resolve it.
Hypothyroid Self-Test
[Dr.
David Williams’ ALTERNATIVES Newsletter, November 1999 issue (Volume 8, number
5)]
One of the first things you should do to see if
your thyroid is functioning properly is check your basal metabolic rate. You
can best check this rate by taking the temperature of your body at your underarm
with an oral thermometer. Here's how you do it:
-
Place an oral thermometer by your bed. Make
sure to shake it down to at least 96 degrees.
-
When you wake up the next morning, immediately place the
thermometer in your armpit and leave it there for 10 minutes before getting
out of bed. Just relax and remain still during the test. (Note: Men and
postmenopausal women can do the test any time. Women in their menstrual years
get the most accurate readings on the second or third day after menstrual flow
starts).
-
Record the temperature.
A reading of anywhere between 97.2 and 98.2 degrees
is considered normal; temperatures below 97.2 generally indicate you have a
thyroid imbalance.
Systemic Iodine Deficiency Test
A simple way to find out is to use normal household
antiseptic Iodine and rub it on your skin [like the back of your hand or wrist
where you can see the stain] in an area about the size of a half dollar. Watch
to see how long it takes to be absorbed so that there is no longer a red stain
on the skin. If it’s gone in an hour or less, your body is telling you it badly
needs Iodine. If it lasts 24 hours, you are probably getting enough Iodine in
your diet. If the stain disappears at varying times in between, after 4 hours,
8 hours, or 12 hours, it indicates varying degrees of less severe deficiency.
In any of these cases, adding Iodine to your system in the form of topical
application or a supplement can often resolve most if not all symptoms of
hypothyroidism. Thyodine has been used successfully for years as a natural
Iodine supplement to address low dietary intake of this mineral, and works
especially well because of its other natural glandulars and thyroid supporting
herbals.
Natural Ways to Rebalance Your
Thyroid
If you detect a problem, there are a couple of things you can do to rebalance
your thyroid gland. The most effective way is to supply it with the Iodine
necessary for an increase in hormone production. (Note: Antiseptic or
topical Iodine can be used but it accumulates in the system so its use is not
exact. Nutri-tionist Adelle Davis advocated using it orally at a rate of one drop per
week in tea or some other liquid drink to maintain systemic levels. Dr.
David Williams advocates the use of water-soluble liquid Iodine called Iosol.]
Avoid certain foods that tend to lower thyroid function, such as turnips,
mustard greens, broccoli, cabbage, rutabaga, brussel sprouts, bok choy, cress,
cauliflower, and kohlrabi. Use of the glandular supplement Thyodine in pill
form contains numerous natural sources of Iodine as well as 10 mg of natural
bovine thyroid to improve metabolism to natural levels. Refer to the
testimonials below:
Thyodine Testimonials
"I'm already noticing my hands are no longer ice cold after
using the product [ Thyodine ] for about a week..."
"I have recently ordered Thyodine and it’s like a
miracle. I can't believe the difference in my skin and hair. And my hands and
feet are warmer. I just feel generally better, less tired, and my metabolism
seems to be getting higher. I’ve lost 2 lbs in three weeks..."
"I was on Synthroid for 10 years. I gained
weight, felt more fatigued, and also had mood swings. On Thyodine, I'm less
fatigued, and my appetite is less. I lost 10 lbs. in 2 months. I'm no longer
depressed, and I'm better able to cope with life and my work environment. This
is the best I've felt since my kids were little."
"I switched slowly from a level of prescription Synthroid that
always made me sick, to one Thyodine every 12 hours with no problems. I actually
felt better than I ever had on the medication. After a few months, I found I
felt just fine on only one Thyodine daily. My doctor never told me I had any
options for something natural. I’m so grateful to have found Thyodine."
Historical Evidence of Benefits of Iodized Salt in the United States
There are numerous reports in the literature that
demonstrate effectiveness of iodized salt in controlling endemic goiter.
Iodization of salt is known to be a safe, efficient, and the preferred prophylactic
method for endemic goiter in the U.S. (Ref.1). In the early 1900's, goiter was
prevalent in those states bordering the Great Lakes and in the northwestern
region of the United States. Voluntary fortification of salt with iodine was
introduced in 1924 and resulted in a virtual elimination of endemic goiter in
the U.S. Some notable examples are as follows:
A. Studies in Michigan
The most extensive and systemic studies of the effects of
iodized salt on the prevalence of goiter were conducted in the state of
Michigan. In 1923 to 1924, the Michigan State Department of Health conducted a
large scale survey of goiter in four counties selected to represent different
geographic regions and soil conditions of the state. All school children up to
the 8th grade in the four counties were examined for goiter. Of about 66,000
children examined, about 39% (range 26-64%) had visible enlargement of thyroid
(Refs.1-7).
In the spring of 1924, a statewide campaign for goiter
prevention was launched with the introduction of iodized salt containing 0.02%
(later reduced to 0.01 %) of sodium iodide. Three follow-up surveys were
conducted in the same four counties in 1928 (only two counties surveyed), 1935,
and 1951 to evaluate the program. A striking 70-75% reduction of goiter
was observed in the 1928 resurvey, merely four years after the introduction of
iodized salt (Refs.1,3-6,8). By 1951, goiter was practically eliminated among
children in three of the four counties with the prevalence being 0.5% or less
(Refs. 4,6,7).
Comparison of goiter prevalence by users vs.
nonusers of iodized salt showed that the reduction of goiter was greatest among
regular users of iodized salt, lower among irregular users, and least among
nonusers. Nonusers in this study included those who used iodized salt in the
past but did not use it during three years prior to the survey, which may
explain the decrease in the prevalence among the nonusers (Ref. 1).
Calumet was a mining town and in 1932 the copper
mines were closed, placing about two thirds of the families on relief. Only
noniodized salt was provided to these families. The 1935 resurvey showed an
increase in the prevalence of goiter among school children (Ref. 1).
B. Studies in Ohio
In 1925, the Ohio State Department of Health made a
rather comprehensive study of the incidence of goiter throughout the state and
planned to support the general use of iodized salt. Six counties were selected
to represent the average conditions in Ohio, and approximately 60,000 school
children were examined for goiter. The results of this survey were never
published and the plan for the general use of iodized salt was abandoned because
of a strong opposition to the general use of iodized salt by some leading goiter
surgeons (Ref. 1). These surgeons were largely concerned with potential
toxicity, however some studies were still conducted in several cities and
counties. Iodized salt came on the market in Cleveland in 1925 (Ref. 2) and Ohio
families were encouraged by many health and educational agencies to begin the
regular use of iodized salt (Ref. 9).
A study conducted between 1924 and 1936 showed that
prior to the introduction of iodized salt, 31% of school children had goiter.
In 1936, only 7% of those who used iodized salt regularly had goiter while there
was no change in the goiter prevalence among children who did not use iodized
salt (Refs.1,5,7).
Another study compared goiter prevalence among
children in four counties in Ohio in 1925 and 1954. The prevalence decreased
dramatically from 32% in 1925 to 4% in 1954 (Ref. 9).
C. Experience in West Virginia
Before 1900 endemic goiter was very rare in the
Kanawha River valley in West Virginia, but soon after the turn of the century
the incidence of simple goiter began to rise. A survey conducted in 1922 showed
that 60% of school girls in Charleston and Huntington had enlarged thyroids.
Until about 1900 all the table salt used in this valley came from salt wells in
this region, but around 1900 the crude dirty brown salt was replaced by pure
fine white salt (noniodized) from Ohio and Michigan. There was no other change
in food or water; the only change during this period was in the supply of salt.
Chemical analysis showed that the crude salt contained iodine
equivalent to 0.01% potassium iodide (Refs.8,10). The elimination of the natural
source of iodine in the crude salt was followed by a dramatic increase in the
incidence of endemic goiter. The experience in West Virginia provides indirect
evidence of the benefits of iodized salt.
D. Potential Adverse Effects of Iodized Salt
When iodized salt was first introduced in the U.S.
there was some concern about potential toxicity from the general use of iodized
salt, notably an increase in hyperthyroidism. Studies reporting adverse effects
of iodized salt showed the following:
Studies in Michigan and Ohio showed no case of
hyperthyroidism among children using iodized salt regularly (Refs.1,3,7,10).
Four children in Michigan with nodular hyperplastic goiters with definite
signs of toxicity had never used iodized salt or had used only noniodized salt
since the depression (Ref.1).
There was a report about an increase in toxic
nodular goiter, number of total thyroidectomies, and yearly death rate during
the three year period (1925-1927) after iodization of salt began in Michigan
(Ref.11). The increase was transient and both number of thyroidectomies and
death rate from goiter declined rapidly after 1927 despite continued use of
iodized salt.
By 1933, the death rate from goiter was lower than the
pre-iodization period. The report did not present other important information
that might have played a bigger role in the increase such as whether toxic
nodular goiter was present in these patients before the introduction of iodized
salt, other iodine-containing compounds used or iodine therapies received by the
patients, and any epidemics of disease or other conditions that might have
contributed to the observed increase. It is hard to know what role iodized salt
played in the reported adverse effects.
In 1927-1928 a study was conducted for the whole adult goiter
population in several counties in Michigan where the majority of the population
had been using iodized salt for four years. The results showed that the
percentage of hyperthyroidism among adults with goiter was much smaller (4.1%) among users of iodized salt as compared to the nonusers of iodized salt
before the onset (17-56%). Also, many adults with hyperthyroidism who used
iodized salt had other conditions that seemed more important in the etiology of
hyperthyroidism than the use of iodized salt such as pregnancy, severe throat
infection, and severe nerve strain or shock which is often seen as a forerunner
of this disease (Ref. 3).
References :
1. Kimball OP. Prevention of goiter in Michigan and
Ohio. JAMA 1937; 108:860-864.
2. Olin RM. Iodine deficiency and prevalence of
simple goiter in Michigan. JAMA 1924;82:1328-1332.
3. Kimball OP. The efficiency and safety of the
prevention of goiter. JAMA 1928;91:454-460.
4. Matovinovic J, Hayner NS, Epstein FH, Kjelsberg
MO. Goiter and other thyroid diseases in Tecumseh, Michigan, studies in a total
community. JAMA 1965:192(3):134-140.
5. Kimball OP. Endemic goiter -- a food deficiency
disease. J Am Dietetic Assn 1949;25:112-115.
6. Altland JK, Brush BE. Goiter prevention in
Michigan, results of thirty years' voluntary use of iodized salt. J Mich Med Soc
1952;51:985-989.
7. Brush BE, Altland JK. Goiter prevention with
iodized salt:
1. Results of a thirty-year study. J Clin
Endocrinol Metab 1952;12:1380-1388.
8. Kimball OP. Iodized salt for the prophylaxis of
endemic goiter. JAMA 1946; 130(2):80-81.
9. Hamwi GJ, Van Fossen AW, Whetstone RE, Williams:
1. Endemic goiter in Ohio school children. Am J Pub Health 1955;45:1344-1348.
10. Kimball OP. Endemic goiter and public health.
Am J Pub Health 1928;18:587-601.
11. McClure RD. Thyroid surgery as affected by the
generalized use of iodized salt in an endemic
goiter region -- preventive surgery. Ann Surg
1934;100:924-932.
Prepared by Youngmee K. Park, U.S. Food and Drug Administration January 31, 1997
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